is disgrace; but there was very little affection for him in
her mind. He was willing to sell her into bondage in order to save
himself. It was in this light she regarded the transaction with Stephen
Whitelaw.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

DOUBTFUL INFORMATION.

The early days of the new year brought little change in John Saltram's
condition. Mr. Mew, and the physician who saw him once in every three
days, seemed perhaps a shade more hopeful than they had been, but would
express no decided opinion when Gilbert pressed them with close
questioning. The struggle was still going on--the issue still doubtful.

"If we could keep the mind at rest," said the physician, "we should have
every chance of doing better; but this constant restlessness, this
hyper-activity of the brain, of which you and Mr. Mew tell me, must needs
make a perpetual demand upon the patient's physical powers. The waste is
always going on. We cannot look for recovery until we obtain more
repose."

Several weeks had passed since the beginning of John Saltram's illness,
and there were no tidings from Mr. Medler. Every day Gilbert had expected
some communication from that practitioner, only to be disappointed. He
had called twice in Soho, and on both occasions had been received by a
shabby-looking clerk, who told him that Mr. Medler was out, and not
likely to come home within any definite time. He was inclined to fancy,
by the clerk's manner on his second visit, that there was some desire to
avoid an interview on Mr. Medler's part; and this fancy made him all the
more anxious to see that gentleman. He did not, therefore, allow much
time to elapse between this second visit to the dingy chambers in Soho
and a third. This time he was more fortunate; for he saw the lawyer let
himself in at the street-door with his latch-key, just as the cab that
drove him approached the house.

The same shabby clerk opened the door to him.

"I want to see your master," he said decisively, making a move towards
the office-door.

The clerk contrived to block his way.

"I beg your pardon, sir, I don't think Mr. Medler's in; but I'll go and
see."

"You needn't give yourself the trouble. I saw your master let himself in
at this door a minute ago. I suppose you were too busy to hear him come
in."

The clerk coughed a doubtful kind of cough, significant of perplexity.

"Upon my word, sir, I believe he's out; but I'll see."

"Thanks; I'd rather see myself, if you please," Gilb